EastEnders' Fatboy Brought Street Moves To The Dancefloor

First on tonight was Ricky Norwood, best known as Fatboy on Eastenders, partnered with dancer Janette Manrara.

He performed a suitably snow-themed routine involving a snowboard, a decapitated snowman and a Swarovski-studded sweatshirt that would make Joey Essex wrinkle his nose up.

Incorporating Charleston, Quickstep and Foxtrot elements, the judges praised him for his surprising amount of coordination – especially when he brought a bit of street dance into his routine.

Ricky got three eights and a nine – resulting in a 33. Not bad for someone who claims he can't dance!

Elaine Paige's Cha-Cha Was More Ha-Ha-Ha

Elaine Paige's Cha Cha was full of hip action, passion and character (Image: BBC)

Broadway veteran Elaine Paige is no stranger to elaborate moves, having worked on shows such as Cats and Evita in the West End.

Her rehearsals with partner Pasha (who was partnered with Rachel Riley during this year's show) were going fine with two exceptions. Firstly, she wasn't thrilled with the idea of being picked up. And secondly, she couldn't stop giggling during rehearsals. How would she fare on the festive dancefloor?

Her Cha Cha was full of hip action, passion and character, and even though she was grinning away the whole time the judges were hugely impressed. Even Craig praised it, stretching as many syllables into the word 'darling' as physically possible.

Elaine got three tens and a nine from the judges – totalling an impressive 39.

Craig Found His Inner Grinch Giving Sara Cox Feedback

Never one to let something as festive, heartwarming and cheery as Christmas to get in the way of his honest feedback, Craig Revel-Horwood found his inner grinch when giving Sara Cox feedback during her Waltz.

“It was a bit like a Christmas cracker – but one that did not explode” he said. “You didn't spot during any of your turns, and you were pigeon toed throughout, too.”

“Look, you danced like you were on ice,” Darcy said, “You glided effortlessly. You created a beautiful feel. Well done.”

“Craig is totally wrong, Sara,” Len said. “Trust me.”

The other judges cheered the pair up, and they still scored a respectable 33 from the fearsome foursome.

But seriously, who gave Craig a lump of coal for Christmas? Can we get him a generous glug of Baileys?

Rufus Hound's Routine Was Barking Mad

Is this the first time this year that blood has been shed on the Strictly ballroom? (Image: BBC)

Fittingly for someone who has Hound for a surname, Rufus and Flavia decided to blow the prop budget right out the water by bringing two live Husky dogs on stage.

Thankfully they didn't stay on stage long, meaning the chances of things going catastrophically wrong was minimal. But the rest of the routine, involving Punch N Judy style punch-ups, plastic fish, a knee in the crotch and a giant igloo felt a little frosty, even if Rufus did look like he was enjoying himself.

“That has to be one of the most abnormal Tangos I have ever witnessed,” Craig said, adding that he loved the pair's work. Darcy thought Rufus was an unusually hot eskimo and loved the drama.

As the pair went to receive their scores, Tess pointed out that Rufus was bleeding from a cut on his head – when the plastic fish hit him near the start. Is that the first time this year that blood has been shed on the Strictly ballroom?

Nevertheless, Rufus got a sensational 38 out of 40 from the judges – including two tens. Proof that sometimes the wacky contestants are barking up the right tree.

Rochelle Humes' Salsa Was Less Sizzling, More Slippery

From the moment Rochelle stepped off the podium she performed like she had worn mismatched shoes (Image: BBC)

Saturdays singer Rochelle was marked out as the one with the most potential to win the trophy. So it was surprising when her Salsa ended up being so slippery and wet.

From the moment she stepped off the podium she performed like she had worn mismatched shoes. Her footwork was wild and out of time, her lifts laboured and as a toy that came to life she would surely run the risk of getting taken back to the shop on boxing day.

“It was like a Christmas tipple,” Bruno explained. “But like a tipple you have to be careful not to overdo it.”

“During that haphazard layout kick, I mean Bruno and I were GASPING,” Craig said, so giddy with his other judges that he didn't even have it in him to be mean.

Still, she managed a seven and three eights, resulting in a very respectable 31.

Matt Goss Put The 'American' Into His American Smooth

Matt Goss pulled off the classy routine like a pro, injecting some Vegas glitz along the way (Image: BBC)

When Matt Goss sang the line 'When will I be famous?' in eighties band Bros, who knew that a mere thirty years later he'd be performing an American Smooth on Christmas Day?

He pulls off the classy routine like a pro, injecting some Vegas glitz along the way – and he makes an excellent partner for Aliona (who you may recall was paired with Disastrous Golfer Tony Jackson this year).

Len said it was less 'matte' and more 'GLOSS', even though a paint analogy would work better with a slightly more boring contestant. Bruno, meanwhile, loved the Vegas glamour.

Craig, naturally, thought he drove the pivots a little hard, his head needed lifting up, and his shoulders needed pulling back. But then he said it was lovely, classy and elegant, so maybe he's helped himself to a hot toddy or three.

He gets an eight and three nines – resulting in a 35 from the judges.

And The Christmas Champions Are...

With no phone votes on the Christmas special, it's up to the studio audience to vote for who they want to win the coveted trophy. And after painful deliberation, the trophy went to...

Rufus and Flavia!

It was a shock victory, since it was such an outlandish routine, but in the spirit of Christmas it was definitely the most entertaining.

Rufus joins notable celebrities JB from JLS, Charlie Brooks from Eastenders and John Barrowman from, er, John Barrowman as a Christmas Strictly champion.

Merry Christmas and, until the show starts again in 2014, keep dancing!